7th Memorial Aloyzas Kveinys
7th Memorial Aloyzas Kveinys (Open 2026) runs July 4-10, 2026 in Saint-Quentin, France, and it pairs a strong Masters field with a broad Open B in one week of classical, FIDE-rated chess. The organizer offers €7,000 in total cash prizes (under stated participation conditions) and designs the event for ambitious club players, titled competitors, and international guests who want a serious tournament setting and norm possibilities. You compete in 9 rounds with long time controls and clear rating-based section rules that keep pairings competitive from Round 1. The memorial format and invited titled presence make this event a compelling summer target on the French open calendar.
The tournament welcomes players who meet the rating requirements and want a structured week of over-the-board chess with transparent entry rules and a fixed start on Saturday afternoon. You can choose between a Masters section for 1900+ and an Open B reserved for players rated strictly below 2000, with a defined overlap window where eligible players decide their section. The organizer runs check-in on the first day for on-site payments, while online payment moves you straight into the Round 1 pairing. Saint-Quentin’s Palais de Fervaques hosts the playing hall and gives the memorial a distinctive civic venue atmosphere.
🗓️ Event Details
| 📅 Dates | July 4-10, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Saint-Quentin, France |
| ♟️ Format | 9-round over-the-board open tournament (two sections) |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE-rated (standard); FIDE August 2026 rating period |
| 📂 Sections | Masters (+1900), Open B (-2000) |
| ⏱️ Time control | 90 minutes/40 moves + 30 minutes + 30-second increment from move 1 |
| 💳 Entry fee | Adults €60, Youth (U20) €40; €75/€55 from June 27, 2026; Masters: GM/IM free, FIDE Masters half price; Open B: FIDE Masters half price |
| 💰 Prize fund | €7,000 cash total (distributed if 150 paying participants across Masters + Open B; guaranteed 1st prizes: €1,400 Masters, €500 Open B) |
| 👤 Eligibility | Masters: rating 1900+ (no exceptions); Open B: rating strictly below 2000; players rated 1900–1999 choose either section |
| 🧩 Organizer notes | Online payment skips check-in and pairs you directly in Round 1; on-site payment (check or bank transfer) requires check-in on July 4 (10:00–14:00); start Round 1 at 16:00; the organizer allows up to 2 byes and blocks byes in the last 3 rounds (invited players cannot request byes) |
🏆 Prize Fund
The organizer distributes €7,000 in total cash prizes if 150 paying participants register across Masters + Open B, and it guarantees the following first prizes.
| Section | 1st Prize (Guaranteed) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Masters (+1900) | €1,400 | The organizer ties total prize distribution to 150 paying participants across both sections. |
| Open B (-2000) | €500 | The organizer ties total prize distribution to 150 paying participants across both sections. |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The tournament runs 9 rounds with a classical time control of 90 minutes for 40 moves, then 30 minutes to finish, plus a 30-second increment per move from move 1. The organizer rates the event for FIDE (standard) under the FIDE August 2026 rating period.
The Masters section uses the Haley pairing system, and the organizer applies it for a field above 50 players in that section. The Open B section uses Swiss pairings, and the organizer applies an Accelerated Decreasing System when the Open B field exceeds 100 players.
The organizer allows up to two byes during the tournament and blocks byes in the last three rounds. The organizer also requires check-in for players who pay on site, while online payment places you directly into the Round 1 pairings.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Rating / target group | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Masters (+1900) | 1900+ | The organizer applies no exceptions to the rating condition; players rated 1900–1999 can choose their section. |
| Open B (-2000) | Strictly below 2000 | The organizer reserves this section for players rated below 2000; players rated 1900–1999 can choose their section. |
📅 Schedule
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round / Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 4, 2026 | Saturday | 10:00 | Check-in opens (required for on-site payments) |
| July 4, 2026 | Saturday | 14:00 | Registration closes |
| July 4, 2026 | Saturday | 16:00 | Round 1 |
📝 Registration
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| How to register | Register by email and/or pay online via https://www.helloasso.com/associations/les-tours-des-hauts-de-france/evenements/open-2026 |
| Registration contacts | gregory.bracq02100@gmail.com; bracq.christian.ffe@gmail.com; invited and foreign players: godart.michel@skynet.be |
| Entry fees | Adults €60, Youth (U20) €40; €75/€55 from June 27, 2026 |
| Title-based conditions | Masters: GM/IM free entry; FIDE Masters pay half price |
| Payment and check-in | Online payment skips check-in and pairs you directly in Round 1; on-site payment by check or bank transfer requires check-in |
| Check-in window | July 4, 2026: 10:00–14:00 |
| Byes | The organizer allows up to 2 byes; you cannot take a bye in the last 3 rounds; invited players cannot request byes |
| Notes | The organizer prefers pre-registration and offers norm possibilities |
👥 Organizer
Les Tours des Hauts-de-France runs the 7th Memorial Aloyzas Kveinys in Saint-Quentin and pairs a Masters section with an Open B to create a single, cohesive week of classical chess. Organizer Frédéric Waquet and chief arbiter Christian Bracq lead the event team, while the tournament staff manages registration through direct email contact and the official online payment page. The organizer also coordinates invited titled participation and supports foreign entries through a dedicated contact address.
🏨 Venue
Palais de Fervaques, 16 Rue Victor Basch, 02100 Saint-Quentin, France
The organizer hosts the tournament in the Palais de Fervaques, a municipal venue in Saint-Quentin. The city lists it among its municipal event halls, which suits a multi-day chess schedule with structured rounds and check-in on the opening day. The venue location in Saint-Quentin keeps travel straightforward for players who plan a full tournament week.
🛎️ Accommodation
For lodging options in Saint-Quentin, contact the local tourism office: karine.agry@saint-quentin.fr, Tel: +33 3 23 67 80 48.
🚗 How to Get There
Travel to Saint-Quentin and head to Rue Victor Basch for the Palais de Fervaques venue address. Use rail or road connections into the city and plan to arrive early on Saturday if you intend to complete on-site payment and check-in before the Round 1 start.
Bring your best classical form and make this memorial week in Saint-Quentin a decisive summer tournament on your calendar.
Organizer
Les Tours des Hauts-de-France – Saint-Quentin (THF) is a French chess club based in Saint-Quentin, France. Today, THF supports team competition, training, and regular club play across the region. At the same time, it develops ambitious amateurs and experienced tournament players.
Moreover, Les Tours des Hauts-de-France – Saint-Quentin (THF) is known for organizing classical open tournaments. Its flagship summer event, 7th Memorial Aloyzas Kveinys, brings players to Saint-Quentin, France for FIDE-rated chess. In addition, the tournament pairs a Masters section with an Open B section over nine rounds.
Furthermore, THF invests in youth development through coaching and chess-in-schools initiatives. Therefore, participants can expect professional organization and clear procedures from check-in to prize distribution. Consequently, the club maintains a strong reputation for reliable tournament delivery in France.
Address: 104 rue Voltaire, 02100 Saint-Quentin, France
Email: fredwaquet@orange.fr
Phone: +33 6 25 79 02 00
Website: https://thfechecs.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/THF.le.club/
Main contact: Frédéric Waquet